2022 Chevrolet Corvette vs 2022 BMW 4 Series

The 2022 BMW 4 Series presented itself as a visually striking vehicle, especially in its higher trims. The base 430i was offered with Sport or M Sport styling, whereas the M440i included an M Performance design, often with a blacked-out Shadowline trim. At launch, BMW shipped RWD 430i and AWD M440i xDrive models, with plans to introduce AWD 430i xDrive and RWD M440i versions later.

Our test vehicle, a Sunset Orange 430i, came loaded with numerous packages, including Shadowline, Premium, Parking Assistance, M Sport, and Dynamic Handling Packages, priced at $57,295 inclusive of a $995 destination charge. Despite its numerous appealing features, the car was somewhat compromised by certain garish design elements like the excessively large, flared-nostril grille with chrome-tipped studs, making it less visually appealing when fitted with a rectangular North American license plate. The flush-fitting door handles also hampered usability.

The 2022 Chevrolet Corvette, on the other hand, looked undeniably sporty, drawing inspiration from Ferrari with its under-glass engine, side air intakes, pointed nose, and a body that widened towards the rear. This visual allure was available as a coupe featuring a lift-out roof panel for open-air driving or as a convertible with a retractable hardtop operated by six electric motors, capable of lowering the roof in 16 seconds at speeds up to 30 mph. All Corvette models came with staggered wheels—19-inch front and 20-inch rear—wrapped in Michelin tires.

Inside, the Corvette's bold design continued with a square steering wheel, eye-catching digital instrument clusters, and a unique dashboard layout reminiscent of classic Corvettes. By ensuring essential buttons and controls were driver-focused, the interior solidified the car’s sporty, driver-centric aesthetics.

The 2022 BMW 4 Series, despite weighing over 4,000 pounds in top trim levels, felt lively and nimble. Our 430i RWD test car housed a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine, producing 255 horsepower and 294 pound-feet of torque. This power allowed for a quick 0-60 mph time of 5.8 seconds. The 8-speed Sport automatic transmission, although missing a manual option, delivered smooth and predictive shifts.

The car featured driving modes like Eco Pro, Comfort, and Sport through its Driving Dynamics Control system. Fuel economy clocked in at an average of 25.3 mpg during testing, slightly below BMW’s EPA estimate of 28 mpg. The Gran Coupe excelled in handling, particularly when equipped with the optional Dynamic Handling Package, which added M Sport brakes, high-performance tires, Adaptive M suspension, and an M Sport differential. The BMW showcased an impressive near-perfect weight distribution with 49.8 percent over the front axle and 50.2 percent over the rear, enhancing its balance and drivability.

The 2022 Chevrolet Corvette stood out with its mid-engine layout, introduced in the 2020 model year, which significantly improved weight distribution and rear traction. The standard Corvette Stingray packed a 6.2-liter V8 engine, offering 490 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque—or 495 horsepower and 470 pound-feet with the performance exhaust system. This engine configuration enabled a swift 0-60 mph time of 2.9 seconds with the Z51 performance package.

The Corvette's 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission performed admirably, despite the absence of a manual gearbox. The mid-engine layout contributed to an agile, playful driving experience without the nervousness usually associated with high-power mid-engine cars. The optional Magnetic Selective Ride Control suspension ensured a smooth ride over rough roads, making it a viable option for daily use, alongside its exhilarating performance characteristics.

The 2022 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe, though practical compared to its two-door siblings, encountered issues with interior space. The car's low stance, small door openings, and intrusive roof pillars made ingress and egress challenging. Rear-seat space was cramped, urging potential buyers to consider the 3 Series sedan for regular passenger transport. Our 430i test model lacked power-adjustable front seats, despite leather upholstery, which was a surprising omission.

Storage remained minimal inside the cabin, with concealed cupholders and a wireless charging pad offering limited practicality. The hatchback design did afford some utility, providing a 16.6 cubic foot trunk expandable to 45.6 cubic feet with rear seats folded, similar to some crossover SUVs.

In contrast, the 2022 Chevrolet Corvette, albeit not designed for utility, maximized its mid-engine layout with two cargo areas: a front trunk (frunk) and a rear trunk, combining for 12.6 cubic feet. While this total was less than the previous generation's, Chevy managed to ensure the rear trunk could fit a set of golf clubs, despite being narrow and shallow. But, if the roof was removed, it consumed the entire rear trunk space.

Inside, the Corvette's layout was decidedly driver-focused, with a square steering wheel providing a clear view of the instrument cluster. Visibility towards the front was commendable; however, rear visibility was compromised by the engine placement. The interior layout made reaching controls for the passenger slightly inconvenient, emphasizing the car’s driver-first design.

The 2022 BMW 4 Series featured BMW's praised iDrive 7 infotainment system, part of the Live Cockpit Professional suite consisting of a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch touchscreen. The system offered various interaction methods, including physical controls, steering wheel buttons, and voice commands via the Intelligent Personal Assistant. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and multiple connected services were standard, although premium audio required opting for the M440i model.

Meanwhile, the 2022 Chevrolet Corvette came with a standard 8-inch touchscreen and a 12-inch digital instrument cluster, integrating wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with Bluetooth, SiriusXM, and WiFi hotspot capabilities. Higher trims offered the Performance Data Recorder, capable of capturing high-quality dashcam video and data traces. Chevy’s infotainment system was praised for its user-friendly interface and efficient organization of controls.

The 2022 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe included BMW Assist eCall, SOS Emergency Request, and an enhanced collision notification system, along with post-collision braking and a driver monitoring system. Active Driving Assistant, standard across all trims, added numerous safety technologies like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, and blind-spot monitoring. Higher trims and specific packages enhanced these features with adaptive cruise control and advanced driver assistance systems.

The 2022 Chevrolet Corvette, more focused on performance, was lighter on safety features. Standard safety tech included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, but these were absent on the base trim. Comprehensive crash-test ratings from IIHS and NHTSA were not available, reflecting the car's niche market segment.